Ulysses Welcomed at King Alcinous's Palace

Thus, then, did Ulysses wait and pray; but the girl drove on to the town. When she reached her father’s house she drew up at the gateway, and her brothers—comely as the gods—gathered round her, took the mules out of the waggon, and carried the clothes into the house, while she went to her own room, where an old servant, Eurymedusa of Apeira, lit the fire for her. This old woman had been brought by sea from Apeira, and had been chosen as a prize for Alcinous because he was king over the Phaeacians, and the people obeyed him as though he were a god.⁵⁷ She had been nurse to Nausicaa, and had now lit the fire for her, and brought her supper for her into her own room.

So Ulysses waited and prayed, but the girl drove on to town. When she reached her father’s house, she stopped at the gateway. Her brothers, as handsome as the gods, gathered around her. They unhitched the mules from the wagon and carried the clothes into the house, while she went to her room. There, an old servant, Eurymedusa of Apeira, lit the fire for her. The old woman had been brought by sea from Apeira and chosen as a prize for Alcinous. This was because he was king of the Phaeacians, and the people obeyed him as though he were a god.⁵⁷ Eurymedusa had been Nausicaa’s nurse. Now she had lit the fire for Nausicaa and brought supper to her room.

Presently Ulysses got up to go towards the town; and Minerva shed a thick mist all round him to hide him in case any of the proud Phaeacians who met him should be rude to him, or ask him who he was. Then, as he was just entering the town, she came towards him in the likeness of a little girl carrying a pitcher. She stood right in front of him, and Ulysses said:

Soon Ulysses got up to head toward the town. Minerva surrounded him with a thick mist to hide him. She did this in case any proud Phaeacians he met were rude to him or asked who he was. Then, just as he was entering the town, she approached him disguised as a little girl carrying a pitcher. She stood right in front of him, and Ulysses said:

“My dear, will you be so kind as to show me the house of king Alcinous? I am an unfortunate foreigner in distress, and do not know one in your town and country.”

“My dear, would you please show me King Alcinous’s house? I am an unfortunate foreigner in trouble, and I don’t know anyone in your town or country.”

Then Minerva said, “Yes, father stranger, I will show you the house you want, for Alcinous lives quite close to my own father. I will go before you and show the way, but say not a word as you go, and do not look at any man, nor ask him questions; for the people here cannot abide strangers, and do not like men who come from some other place. They are a sea-faring folk, and sail the seas by the grace of Neptune in ships that glide along like thought, or as a bird in the air.”

Then Minerva said, “Yes, old stranger, I will show you the house you’re looking for. Alcinous lives very close to my own father. I will lead the way, but don’t say a word as you walk. Don’t look at any man or ask him questions. The people here cannot stand strangers and dislike men who come from elsewhere. They are seafarers and sail the seas by the grace of Neptune. Their ships glide along like thought or like a bird in the air.”

On this she led the way, and Ulysses followed in her steps; but not one of the Phaeacians could see him as he passed through the city in the midst of them; for the great goddess Minerva in her good will towards him had hidden him in a thick cloud of darkness. He admired their harbours, ships, places of assembly, and the lofty walls of the city, which, with the palisade on top of them, were very striking, and when they reached the king’s house Minerva said:

With that, she led the way, and Ulysses followed her. But none of the Phaeacians could see him as he passed among them through the city. This was because the great goddess Minerva, wishing him well, had hidden him in a thick cloud of darkness. He admired their harbours, ships, meeting places, and the city’s high walls. The walls, topped with a palisade, were very impressive. When they reached the king’s house, Minerva said:

“This is the house, father stranger, which you would have me show you. You will find a number of great people sitting at table, but do not be afraid; go straight in, for the bolder a man is the more likely he is to carry his point, even though he is a stranger. First find the queen. Her name is Arete, and she comes of the same family as her husband Alcinous. They both descend originally from Neptune, who was father to Nausithous by Periboea, a woman of great beauty. Periboea was the youngest daughter of Eurymedon, who at one time reigned over the giants, but he ruined his ill-fated people and lost his own life to boot.

“This is the house you asked me to show you, honored stranger. You will find many important people sitting at the table, but do not be afraid. Go straight in, because the bolder a man is, the more likely he is to get what he wants. That is true even if he is a stranger. First, find the queen. Her name is Arete, and she comes from the same family as her husband, Alcinous. Both trace their ancestry back to Neptune, who fathered Nausithous with Periboea, a very beautiful woman. Periboea was the youngest daughter of Eurymedon, who once ruled over the giants. But Eurymedon brought ruin on his ill-fated people and lost his own life as well.”

“Neptune, however, lay with his daughter, and she had a son by him, the great Nausithous, who reigned over the Phaeacians. Nausithous had two sons Rhexenor and Alcinous;⁵⁸ Apollo killed the first of them while he was still a bridegroom and without male issue; but he left a daughter Arete, whom Alcinous married, and honours as no other woman is honoured of all those that keep house along with their husbands.

“Neptune, however, slept with his daughter, and she bore him a son, the great Nausithous, who ruled the Phaeacians. Nausithous had two sons, Rhexenor and Alcinous.⁵⁸ Apollo killed Rhexenor when he was still newly married and had no sons. But Rhexenor left a daughter, Arete, whom Alcinous married. Alcinous honours her more than any other woman who shares a home with her husband is honoured.

“Thus she both was, and still is, respected beyond measure by her children, by Alcinous himself, and by the whole people, who look upon her as a goddess, and greet her whenever she goes about the city, for she is a thoroughly good woman both in head and heart, and when any women are friends of hers, she will help their husbands also to settle their disputes. If you can gain her good will, you may have every hope of seeing your friends again, and getting safely back to your home and country.”

“So her children, Alcinous himself, and all the people have always respected her immensely, and still do. The people see her as a goddess and greet her whenever she walks through the city. This is because she is a thoroughly good woman in both mind and heart. When women are her friends, she will also help their husbands settle their disputes. If you can win her goodwill, you may have every hope of seeing your friends again. You may also hope to return safely to your home and country.”

Then Minerva left Scheria and went away over the sea. She went to Marathon⁵⁹ and to the spacious streets of Athens, where she entered the abode of Erechtheus; but Ulysses went on to the house of Alcinous, and he pondered much as he paused a while before reaching the threshold of bronze, for the splendour of the palace was like that of the sun or moon. The walls on either side were of bronze from end to end, and the cornice was of blue enamel. The doors were gold, and hung on pillars of silver that rose from a floor of bronze, while the lintel was silver and the hook of the door was of gold.

Then Minerva left Scheria and traveled across the sea. She went to Marathon⁵⁹ and to the wide streets of Athens, where she entered the home of Erechtheus. But Ulysses continued to the house of Alcinous. He paused in deep thought before reaching the bronze threshold, because the palace shone like the sun or moon. The walls on both sides were bronze from end to end, with blue enamel along the cornice. The doors were gold and hung on silver pillars rising from a bronze floor. The lintel was silver, and the door hook was gold.

On either side there stood gold and silver mastiffs which Vulcan, with his consummate skill, had fashioned expressly to keep watch over the palace of king Alcinous; so they were immortal and could never grow old. Seats were ranged all along the wall, here and there from one end to the other, with coverings of fine woven work which the women of the house had made. Here the chief persons of the Phaeacians used to sit and eat and drink, for there was abundance at all seasons; and there were golden figures of young men with lighted torches in their hands, raised on pedestals, to give light by night to those who were at table. There are⁶⁰ fifty maid servants in the house, some of whom are always grinding rich yellow grain at the mill, while others work at the loom, or sit and spin, and their shuttles go backwards and forwards like the fluttering of aspen leaves, while the linen is so closely woven that it will turn oil. As the Phaeacians are the best sailors in the world, so their women excel all others in weaving, for Minerva has taught them all manner of useful arts, and they are very intelligent.

Gold and silver mastiffs stood on either side. Vulcan had made them with supreme skill, specifically to guard the palace of king Alcinous. So the mastiffs were immortal and could never grow old. Seats stood at intervals along the wall, from one end to the other. They had finely woven coverings made by the women of the house. Here the leading Phaeacians would sit, eat, and drink, for there was plenty in every season. Golden statues of young men stood on pedestals, holding burning torches to light the tables at night. There are⁶⁰ fifty maidservants in the house. Some are always grinding rich yellow grain at the mill. Others weave at the loom or sit and spin. Their shuttles move back and forth like fluttering aspen leaves. The linen is woven so tightly that oil cannot pass through it. Just as the Phaeacians are the world's best sailors, their women surpass all others in weaving. For Minerva has taught the women every kind of useful craft, and they are very intelligent.

Outside the gate of the outer court there is a large garden of about four acres with a wall all round it. It is full of beautiful trees—pears, pomegranates, and the most delicious apples. There are luscious figs also, and olives in full growth. The fruits never rot nor fail all the year round, neither winter nor summer, for the air is so soft that a new crop ripens before the old has dropped. Pear grows on pear, apple on apple, and fig on fig, and so also with the grapes, for there is an excellent vineyard: on the level ground of a part of this, the grapes are being made into raisins; in another part they are being gathered; some are being trodden in the wine tubs, others further on have shed their blossom and are beginning to show fruit, others again are just changing colour. In the furthest part of the ground there are beautifully arranged beds of flowers that are in bloom all the year round. Two streams go through it, the one turned in ducts throughout the whole garden, while the other is carried under the ground of the outer court to the house itself, and the town’s people draw water from it. Such, then, were the splendours with which the gods had endowed the house of king Alcinous.

Outside the gate of the outer courtyard is a large garden of about four acres, surrounded by a wall. The garden is full of beautiful trees: pears, pomegranates, and the most delicious apples. There are also luscious figs and fully grown olive trees. The fruit never rots or runs out, all year round, in winter and summer alike. The air is so mild that a new crop ripens before the old crop has fallen. One crop of pears follows another, and the same is true of apples, figs, and grapes. There is also an excellent vineyard. In one part, grapes are spread on level ground to dry into raisins. In another part, grapes are being gathered, while some are being crushed underfoot in wine tubs. Farther along, some vines have lost their blossoms and are beginning to bear fruit. On still other vines, the grapes are just changing color. At the farthest end of the garden are beautifully arranged flower beds that bloom all year round. Two streams flow through the garden. One is channeled throughout the whole garden. The other flows underground beneath the outer courtyard to the house itself, and the townspeople draw water from that stream. Such were the splendors the gods had given to the house of King Alcinous.

So here Ulysses stood for a while and looked about him, but when he had looked long enough he crossed the threshold and went within the precincts of the house. There he found all the chief people among the Phaeacians making their drink offerings to Mercury, which they always did the last thing before going away for the night.⁶¹ He went straight through the court, still hidden by the cloak of darkness in which Minerva had enveloped him, till he reached Arete and King Alcinous; then he laid his hands upon the knees of the queen, and at that moment the miraculous darkness fell away from him and he became visible. Every one was speechless with surprise at seeing a man there, but Ulysses began at once with his petition.

So Ulysses stood there for a while, looking around. But once he had seen enough, he crossed the threshold and entered the grounds of the house. There he found all the leading Phaeacians pouring drink offerings to Mercury. They always made these offerings as their last act before leaving for the night.⁶¹ He went straight through the courtyard, still hidden by the cloak of darkness Minerva had wrapped around him. He continued until he reached Arete and King Alcinous. Then he placed his hands on the queen’s knees. At that moment, the miraculous darkness fell away from him, and he became visible. Everyone was speechless with surprise at seeing a man there, but Ulysses immediately began his plea.

“Queen Arete,” he exclaimed, “daughter of great Rhexenor, in my distress I humbly pray you, as also your husband and these your guests (whom may heaven prosper with long life and happiness, and may they leave their possessions to their children, and all the honours conferred upon them by the state) to help me home to my own country as soon as possible; for I have been long in trouble and away from my friends.”

“Queen Arete,” he exclaimed, “daughter of great Rhexenor, in my distress I humbly appeal to you, your husband, and your guests. (May heaven bless your guests with long lives and happiness. May your guests pass on their possessions and all the honors the state has granted them to their children.) Please help me return to my own country as soon as possible. For I have suffered for a long time, far from my friends.”

Then he sat down on the hearth among the ashes and they all held their peace, till presently the old hero Echeneus, who was an excellent speaker and an elder among the Phaeacians, plainly and in all honesty addressed them thus:

Then he sat down among the ashes on the hearth, and everyone stayed silent until the old hero Echeneus spoke. Echeneus was an excellent speaker and an elder among the Phaeacians. He addressed everyone plainly and honestly:

“Alcinous,” said he, “it is not creditable to you that a stranger should be seen sitting among the ashes of your hearth; every one is waiting to hear what you are about to say; tell him, then, to rise and take a seat on a stool inlaid with silver, and bid your servants mix some wine and water that we may make a drink offering to Jove the lord of thunder, who takes all well disposed suppliants under his protection; and let the housekeeper give him some supper, of whatever there may be in the house.”

“Alcinous,” he said, “it reflects badly on you to leave a stranger sitting among the ashes of your hearth. Everyone is waiting to hear what you will say. So tell the stranger to get up and sit on a stool inlaid with silver. Tell your servants to mix some wine and water so we can make a drink offering to Jove. Jove, the lord of thunder, protects all who come in goodwill to ask for help. And have the housekeeper give the stranger some supper, using whatever food there may be in the house.”

When Alcinous heard this he took Ulysses by the hand, raised him from the hearth, and bade him take the seat of Laodamas, who had been sitting beside him, and was his favourite son. A maid servant then brought him water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for him to wash his hands, and she drew a clean table beside him; an upper servant brought him bread and offered him many good things of what there was in the house, and Ulysses ate and drank. Then Alcinous said to one of the servants, “Pontonous, mix a cup of wine and hand it round that we may make drink-offerings to Jove the lord of thunder, who is the protector of all well-disposed suppliants.”

When Alcinous heard this, he took Ulysses by the hand and helped him up from the hearth. He told him to take the seat of Laodamas, his favorite son, who had been sitting beside him. A maid then brought water in a beautiful golden pitcher. She poured the water into a silver basin so Ulysses could wash his hands. She also pulled a clean table up beside him. A senior servant brought him bread and offered him many good things to eat from the household’s supplies. Ulysses ate and drank. Then Alcinous said to one of the servants, “Pontonous, mix a cup of wine and pass it around. Then we can pour offerings of wine to Jove, the lord of thunder, who protects all who seek help in goodwill.”

Pontonous then mixed wine and water, and handed it round after giving every man his drink-offering. When they had made their offerings, and had drunk each as much as he was minded, Alcinous said:

Pontonous then mixed wine and water. He gave each man his share for a drink-offering before passing the wine around. When the men had made their offerings and drunk as much as each wanted, Alcinous said:

“Aldermen and town councillors of the Phaeacians, hear my words. You have had your supper, so now go home to bed. To-morrow morning I shall invite a still larger number of aldermen, and will give a sacrificial banquet in honour of our guest; we can then discuss the question of his escort, and consider how we may at once send him back rejoicing to his own country without trouble or inconvenience to himself, no matter how distant it may be. We must see that he comes to no harm while on his homeward journey, but when he is once at home he will have to take the luck he was born with for better or worse like other people. It is possible, however, that the stranger is one of the immortals who has come down from heaven to visit us; but in this case the gods are departing from their usual practice, for hitherto they have made themselves perfectly clear to us when we have been offering them hecatombs. They come and sit at our feasts just like one of our selves, and if any solitary wayfarer happens to stumble upon some one or other of them, they affect no concealment, for we are as near of kin to the gods as the Cyclopes and the savage giants are.”⁶²

“Elders and town councillors of the Phaeacians, listen to me. You have had your supper, so now go home to bed. Tomorrow morning I will invite an even larger number of elders and hold a sacrificial feast in our guest’s honour. We can then discuss his escort and how to send him home at once, happy and free from trouble. We must spare him any inconvenience, no matter how far away his country is. We must make sure he comes to no harm on his journey home. But once he is home, he must face the fate he was born with, good or bad, like everyone else. “However, the stranger may be one of the immortals who has come down from heaven to visit us. But if so, the gods are breaking with their usual practice. Until now, the gods have always revealed themselves clearly when we offer them sacrifices of a hundred cattle. They come and sit at our feasts just like one of us. And if a lone traveller happens to meet one of the gods, the god makes no attempt to hide. For we are as closely related to the gods as the Cyclopes and the savage giants are.”⁶²

Then Ulysses said: “Pray, Alcinous, do not take any such notion into your head. I have nothing of the immortal about me, neither in body nor mind, and most resemble those among you who are the most afflicted. Indeed, were I to tell you all that heaven has seen fit to lay upon me, you would say that I was still worse off than they are. Nevertheless, let me sup in spite of sorrow, for an empty stomach is a very importunate thing, and thrusts itself on a man’s notice no matter how dire is his distress. I am in great trouble, yet it insists that I shall eat and drink, bids me lay aside all memory of my sorrows and dwell only on the due replenishing of itself. As for yourselves, do as you propose, and at break of day set about helping me to get home. I shall be content to die if I may first once more behold my property, my bondsmen, and all the greatness of my house.”⁶³

Then Ulysses said: “Please, Alcinous, do not think anything of the kind. There is nothing immortal about me, either in body or in mind. I am most like those among you who have suffered most. Indeed, if I told you all that heaven has chosen to make me suffer, you would judge me worse off. Still, let me eat despite my sorrow. An empty stomach makes relentless demands, forcing a man to notice his hunger, however great his distress. I am in deep trouble, yet my stomach insists that I eat and drink. My hunger tells me to forget all my sorrows and think only of filling my stomach properly. As for you, do as you propose. At dawn, begin helping me get home. I will be content to die if I can first see my property, my slaves, and my household’s full splendor again.”⁶³

Thus did he speak. Every one approved his saying, and agreed that he should have his escort inasmuch as he had spoken reasonably. Then when they had made their drink offerings, and had drunk each as much as he was minded they went home to bed every man in his own abode, leaving Ulysses in the cloister with Arete and Alcinous while the servants were taking the things away after supper. Arete was the first to speak, for she recognised the shirt, cloak, and good clothes that Ulysses was wearing, as the work of herself and of her maids; so she said, “Stranger, before we go any further, there is a question I should like to ask you. Who, and whence are you, and who gave you those clothes? Did you not say you had come here from beyond the sea?”

So he spoke. Everyone approved of what he said and agreed he should have an escort, since he had spoken reasonably. Then they poured their drink offerings, and each drank as much as he wanted. Afterward, each man went home to bed, leaving Ulysses in the covered courtyard with Arete and Alcinous. Meanwhile, the servants cleared away the dishes after supper. Arete spoke first. She recognized the shirt, cloak, and fine clothes Ulysses was wearing, which she and her maids had made. So she said, “Stranger, before we go any further, I would like to ask you a question. Who are you, where do you come from, and who gave you those clothes? Didn't you say you had come here from across the sea?”

And Ulysses answered, “It would be a long story Madam, were I to relate in full the tale of my misfortunes, for the hand of heaven has been laid heavy upon me; but as regards your question, there is an island far away in the sea which is called ‘the Ogygian.’ Here dwells the cunning and powerful goddess Calypso, daughter of Atlas. She lives by herself far from all neighbours human or divine. Fortune, however, brought me to her hearth all desolate and alone, for Jove struck my ship with his thunderbolts, and broke it up in mid-ocean. My brave comrades were drowned every man of them, but I stuck to the keel and was carried hither and thither for the space of nine days, till at last during the darkness of the tenth night the gods brought me to the Ogygian island where the great goddess Calypso lives. She took me in and treated me with the utmost kindness; indeed she wanted to make me immortal that I might never grow old, but she could not persuade me to let her do so.

And Ulysses answered, “Madam, it would be a long story if I told you about all my misfortunes. Heaven has dealt harshly with me. But to answer your question, far out at sea lies an island called ‘the Ogygian.’ The cunning and powerful goddess Calypso, daughter of Atlas, lives there. She lives alone, far from any neighbors, human or divine. But fate brought me to her home, desperate and alone. Jove had struck my ship with his thunderbolts and shattered it in the middle of the ocean. Every one of my brave companions drowned, but I clung to the keel and drifted for nine days. At last, in the darkness of the tenth night, the gods brought me to the Ogygian island. That is where the great goddess Calypso lives. She took me in and treated me with the greatest kindness. In fact, she wanted to make me immortal so that I would never grow old. But she could not persuade me to accept her offer.

“I stayed with Calypso seven years straight on end, and watered the good clothes she gave me with my tears during the whole time; but at last when the eighth year came round she bade me depart of her own free will, either because Jove had told her she must, or because she had changed her mind. She sent me from her island on a raft, which she provisioned with abundance of bread and wine. Moreover she gave me good stout clothing, and sent me a wind that blew both warm and fair. Days seven and ten did I sail over the sea, and on the eighteenth I caught sight of the first outlines of the mountains upon your coast—and glad indeed was I to set eyes upon them. Nevertheless there was still much trouble in store for me, for at this point Neptune would let me go no further, and raised a great storm against me; the sea was so terribly high that I could no longer keep to my raft, which went to pieces under the fury of the gale, and I had to swim for it, till wind and current brought me to your shores.

“I stayed with Calypso for seven full years, soaking the fine clothes she gave me with my tears throughout that time. But at last, when the eighth year came, she willingly told me to leave. Either Jove had told her she must, or she had changed her mind. She sent me away from her island on a raft, stocked with plenty of bread and wine. She also gave me sturdy clothes and sent a warm wind that blew in my favor. I sailed across the sea for seventeen days. On the eighteenth, I caught my first glimpse of the mountains along your coast. I was truly glad to see them. Yet much trouble still lay ahead of me, for Neptune would not let me go any farther. He raised a great storm against me. The waves were so high that I could no longer stay on my raft. The raft broke apart in the fierce winds, and I had to swim until the wind and current brought me to your shores.

“There I tried to land, but could not, for it was a bad place and the waves dashed me against the rocks, so I again took to the sea and swam on till I came to a river that seemed the most likely landing place, for there were no rocks and it was sheltered from the wind. Here, then, I got out of the water and gathered my senses together again. Night was coming on, so I left the river, and went into a thicket, where I covered myself all over with leaves, and presently heaven sent me off into a very deep sleep. Sick and sorry as I was I slept among the leaves all night, and through the next day till afternoon, when I woke as the sun was westering, and saw your daughter’s maid servants playing upon the beach, and your daughter among them looking like a goddess. I besought her aid, and she proved to be of an excellent disposition, much more so than could be expected from so young a person—for young people are apt to be thoughtless. She gave me plenty of bread and wine, and when she had had me washed in the river she also gave me the clothes in which you see me. Now, therefore, though it has pained me to do so, I have told you the whole truth.”

“I tried to land there, but I could not because the shore was dangerous. The waves threw me against the rocks, so I headed back out to sea and swam on. At last I reached a river that seemed to offer the best place to land. There were no rocks, and the spot was sheltered from the wind. So I climbed out of the water there and recovered my senses. Night was approaching, so I left the river and went into a thicket. I covered myself completely with leaves, and soon heaven sent me into a deep sleep. Though I was sick and miserable, I slept among the leaves all night and through the next day until afternoon. I woke as the sun was sinking in the west. I saw your daughter’s maids playing on the beach, with your daughter among them, looking like a goddess. “I begged her for help, and she proved to be very kind. She was far kinder than anyone could expect of someone so young, since young people tend to be thoughtless. She gave me plenty of bread and wine. After having me washed in the river, she also gave me the clothes you see me wearing. So now I have told you the whole truth, though telling you has been painful.”

Then Alcinous said, “Stranger, it was very wrong of my daughter not to bring you on at once to my house along with the maids, seeing that she was the first person whose aid you asked.”

Then Alcinous said, “Stranger, my daughter was very wrong not to bring you straight to my house with the maids. After all, she was the first person you asked for help.”

“Pray do not scold her,” replied Ulysses; “she is not to blame. She did tell me to follow along with the maids, but I was ashamed and afraid, for I thought you might perhaps be displeased if you saw me. Every human being is sometimes a little suspicious and irritable.”

“Please don’t scold her,” Ulysses replied. “She’s not to blame. She did tell me to follow the maids, but I felt ashamed and afraid. I thought you might perhaps be upset if you saw me. Everyone is a little suspicious and irritable sometimes.”

“Stranger,” replied Alcinous, “I am not the kind of man to get angry about nothing; it is always better to be reasonable; but by Father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, now that I see what kind of person you are, and how much you think as I do, I wish you would stay here, marry my daughter, and become my son-in-law. If you will stay I will give you a house and an estate, but no one (heaven forbid) shall keep you here against your own wish, and that you may be sure of this I will attend tomorrow to the matter of your escort. You can sleep⁶⁴ during the whole voyage if you like, and the men shall sail you over smooth waters either to your own home, or wherever you please, even though it be a long way further off than Euboea, which those of my people who saw it when they took yellow-haired Rhadamanthus to see Tityus the son of Gaia, tell me is the furthest of any place—and yet they did the whole voyage in a single day without distressing themselves, and came back again afterwards. You will thus see how much my ships excel all others, and what magnificent oarsmen my sailors are.”

“Stranger,” Alcinous replied, “I am not the kind of man who gets angry over nothing. It is always better to be reasonable. But by Father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, I now see what kind of person you are. You think much as I do. I wish you would stay here, marry my daughter, and become my son-in-law. If you stay, I will give you a house and an estate. But no one will keep you here against your will, heaven forbid. To assure you of that, I will arrange your escort tomorrow. You can sleep⁶⁴ through the whole voyage if you like. The men will sail you over smooth waters to your home or wherever you please. They will take you even much farther than Euboea. Some of my people have seen Euboea and tell me it is the farthest place of all. They went there when they took yellow-haired Rhadamanthus to see Tityus, the son of Gaia. Yet they made the whole voyage in a single day without exhausting themselves, and came back again afterward. You will see how much better my ships are than all others, and what magnificent oarsmen my sailors are.”

Then was Ulysses glad and prayed aloud saying, “Father Jove, grant that Alcinous may do all as he has said, for so he will win an imperishable name among mankind, and at the same time I shall return to my country.”

Then Ulysses was glad and prayed aloud, saying, “Father Jove, grant that Alcinous may do all he has promised. For then he will win lasting fame among all people, and I will return to my country.”

Thus did they converse. Then Arete told her maids to set a bed in the room that was in the gatehouse, and make it with good red rugs, and to spread coverlets on the top of them with woollen cloaks for Ulysses to wear. The maids thereon went out with torches in their hands, and when they had made the bed they came up to Ulysses and said, “Rise, sir stranger, and come with us for your bed is ready,” and glad indeed was he to go to his rest.

That was their conversation. Then Arete told her maids to prepare a bed in the gatehouse room with fine red rugs. They were to spread coverlets over the rugs and provide woolen cloaks for Ulysses to wear. The maids went out carrying torches. When they had made the bed, they came to Ulysses and said, “Get up, honored stranger, and come with us. Your bed is ready.” He was very glad to go and rest.

So Ulysses slept in a bed placed in a room over the echoing gateway; but Alcinous lay in the inner part of the house, with the queen his wife by his side.

So Ulysses slept in a bed in a room above the echoing gateway. But Alcinous lay farther inside the house, with his wife, the queen, by his side.